Outdoor recreational trails play a significant role in the allure of northern Michigan.

For the next several weeks, the Department of Natural Resources is asking Michigan residents to look over the draft plan for the future management of these trails and submit comments and suggestions.

“In offering this draft plan for broad public review, the DNR seeks to get the best possible feedback from the people who most use our extensive trail system and those who would like to enjoy it more,” said DNR Parks and Recreation Division Chief Ron Olson. “Michigan is home to a vast and varied trail system. Our goal is to provide a consistent, quality resource that best meets the needs of the steadily increasing number of trail users.”

For Indian River, trails are very important in attracting vacationers.

“We have a great trails system around us here,” said Dawn Bodnar, Indian River Chamber of Commerce director. “We’re kind of a hub right here, with the hiking and biking trials in the summer and all of the snowmobile trails in the winter.”

“The slogan we’ve been using is ‘All Trails Lead to Indian River,’” Bodnar added. “That’s the truth. We have so many miles of biking and hiking trails. You can come here and have a great time without having to spend a lot.”

The trails plan the DNR has released covers every kind of trail in Michigan, from non-motorized trails to water trails. One of the states most revered water trails, the Inland Waterway, snakes though Cheboygan County before spilling into Lake Huron via the Cheboygan River.

This popular boating route draws tourists by the thousands each summer.

“The Inland Waterway is one of our biggest draws in the summer,” Bodnar said.

The draft plan can be viewed on the DNR’s Michigan Snowmobile and Trails Advisory Council webpage and also is available on the DNR’s State Parks and Trails and Pathways webpages. Comments can be submitted via an online survey that is posted along with the draft.

The DNR will accept comments and feedback on the draft plan through Friday, Jan. 25.

Michigan’s more than 12,000 miles of trails include over 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails and more than 3,600 miles of off-road vehicle trails. The state’s 2,600-mile rail-trail system is the largest in the nation and continues to grow. Nearly 600 miles of trails are designated equestrian trails, including the 300-mile Shore-to-Shore riding trail. Currently, the Michigan Heritage Water Trails is an initiative connecting communities using navigable waterways with the first designated trail — the River Country Heritage Water Trail — in St. Joseph County.